SmartFocus vs Latch
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ with what reviewers say about each.
SmartFocus
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YOU ALREADY KNOW THE FEELING You sit down to work. You open your phone for one thing โ and 40 minutes later you're deep in social media, watching clips, scrolling through nothing. It's not your fault. These apps are designed to keep you hooked. SmartFocus blocks distracting apps the moment you activate Focus mode โ so you can actually get things done. ------ THE PROBLEM WITH WILLPOWER Every day, you tell yourself you'll stay focused. But then: - You pick up your phone "just to check" - One notification leads to ten minutes of scrolling - You open Instagram "for a second" and lose half an hour - By the end of the day, you wonder where the time went Sound familiar? Willpower alone doesn't work against apps built to be addictive. You need a system. ------ HOW SMARTFOCUS WORKS SmartFocus connects directly with iOS Focus modes. When you activate a Focus mode โ Work, Study, Sleep, or any custom one โ SmartFocus instantly blocks the apps you've chosen. No delays. No workarounds. Just a clean shield screen reminding you: you're in focus mode. 1. Create a filter preset (e.g., "Work", "Study", "Deep Focus") 2. Choose which apps and categories to block 3. Link it to your iOS Focus mode That's it. Focus on, distractions off. ------ CUSTOM FILTERS FOR EVERY MOMENT Not all focus is the same. During work, you might block social media but keep messaging open. During study, you might block everything except reference apps. At night, you might block games and news. SmartFocus lets you create unlimited filter presets โ each with its own name, color, and app selection. Switch between them effortlessly as your day changes. ------ BLOCK APPS AND ENTIRE CATEGORIES Don't waste time picking apps one by one. SmartFocus lets you block entire categories at once โ all social media, all games, all entertainment โ with a single tap. Or get specific and choose individual apps. Your call. ------ THE SHIELD SCREEN When you try to open a blocked app, you won't see the app. Instead, you'll see a calm shield screen telling you exactly which filter is active. A simple reminder that you chose to focus โ and a gentle nudge to get back on track. No guilt. No lectures. Just clarity. ------ BUILT FOR PRIVACY SmartFocus uses Apple's Screen Time framework. Your data stays on your device. We never see which apps you use, which ones you block, or how you spend your time. Your focus is your business. ------ PERFECT FOR - Students who need to lock in during exams and study sessions - Remote workers fighting the pull of social media at home - Professionals who want distraction-free deep work blocks - Parents managing their own screen habits - Anyone trying to build healthier digital routines - People with ADHD looking for external structure ------ WHAT MAKES SMARTFOCUS DIFFERENT - Native iOS Focus integration โ works with the system, not against it - Instant blocking โ no timers, no delays, no friction - Custom presets โ different rules for different moments - Category blocking โ block all social media with one tap - Beautiful shield screen โ calm, not punishing - Completely private โ all data stays on your device ------ GET STARTED FREE Download SmartFocus and set up your first filter in under a minute. No ads. No tracking. No nonsense. Just focus, the way it should be. Take back your time. Download SmartFocus today.
Latch
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Some apps you open on purpose. Others just open themselves โ you reach for them before you even decide to. Latch is for the second kind. Pick the apps that pull you in, lock them for a window you set in advance, and Latch holds the line โ even when you're tempted to peek. It isn't a timer you can dismiss; it's a commitment you make to yourself, on purpose, and keep. HOW IT WORKS 1. Pick your apps. Choose the ones you open without thinking. Latch works through your iPhone's own Screen Time controls โ it never sees which apps you picked. 2. Set the lock. Once, on a weekly schedule, a date range, or specific days each month. Your call, made with a clear head. 3. Add friction to change your mind. Opening early means waiting it out, or slowly typing a passage by hand โ no paste, no shortcuts. Just enough of a pause to choose on purpose. WHY LATCH Most urges are loud, then gone in a few minutes. A soft timer you can skip doesn't help in that moment. Latch is built to hold โ short of the deliberate exits you set up yourself โ so the decision you made calmly is the one that stands. - Four lock types โ once, weekly, date range, or monthly. - Your choice of exit โ wait it out, type a passage, both, or no early exit at all (Locked mode). - Paste-blocked typing test โ real typing, not a clipboard shortcut. - A calm shield, never a lecture โ just a reminder of your own decision. - Private by design โ no account, no login. The apps you lock never leave your device. FREE & PRO Your first latch is free. Latch Pro unlocks unlimited latches, every lock type, Locked mode, and a customizable shield. - Latch Pro Monthly โ $3.99/month - Latch Pro Yearly โ $24.99/year Subscriptions auto-renew until cancelled; manage anytime in your App Store account. Prices may vary by region. Terms of Use: https://latch-aqq.pages.dev/terms Privacy Policy: https://latch-aqq.pages.dev/privacy PRIVACY Latch has no account and no server-side profile of you. The apps you choose to lock stay on your device. The only data collected is anonymous, aggregate analytics โ none of it linked to your identity.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SmartFocus at none against Latch's 2. Latch's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Latch sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. SmartFocus asks for nothing beyond the download.
SmartFocus ships an update every 8 days, Latch every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SmartFocus | Latch |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 8 days | Every 4 days โ better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No โ better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 17.0 โ better |
| Further details โ not scored | ||
| Size | 15 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Selim Zoughlami | ilhan karabay |
In-app purchases
SmartFocus
No in-app purchases
Latch
- Latch Pro (Monthly)$3.991 Month
- Latch Pro (Yearly)$24.991 Year









